06.27.08

CELEBRATE FREEDOM

Posted in General Blog Post at 6:57 pm by Pastor Don



Dear Friends:

I’m standing here by my good friend, Al Roedecker. Al is a veteran, as am I. Al is from the WWII era, while I am a Vietnam War vet. I wanted to take this picture with Al, and with the ribbon, because it’s symbolic of our country. Here you have different generations, yet common bonds, seeking to preserve and celebrate freedom. On the upcoming 4th, I give thanks for Al and the many like him, whose sacrifice has allowed me and many others to enjoy so many freedoms.

Nevertheless, as I celebrate the freedom I have as a U.S. citizen, I celebrate even more the freedom I have as a believer in and a follower of Jesus Christ. In Christ, I find the freedom to be the person that God created me to be. In Christ, I find the freedom to be disentangled from the grips of guilt and the past. In Christ, I find the freedom to understand that Christ looks not so much at what I’ve been, as to what I can be.

As I celebrate the gifts of freedom this July 4th, and give thanks for the many who have helped to pay the price for it, I give an even greater thanks to Jesus Christ. While I have this earthly existence to celebrate the freedoms made possible by veterans like Al and current U.S. soldiers now serving, I give thanks for my eternal existence made possible by Jesus Christ, there on the Cross, and there at the Empty Tomb. For that I say, THANK YOU.

My blessings to you who read this piece. Celebrate your freedom, both now and forever. Do stop by, the coffee’s fresh, and the light’s on. I’d love to see you. Also, anyone needing a new Bible, come on by. I’d love to give you one, as I celebrate my freedom.

Your friend, Pastor Don

06.12.08

WHOSE WRAPPING?

Posted in General Blog Post at 6:25 pm by Pastor Don

Dear Friends,

Here’s a picture of some of my friends. They’re cooking a meal so that later they can serve it at the Simpson Homeless Shelter. This is something that our church does regularly, both cooking and serving.

Serving Christ brings many opportunities to reach out and be a blessing and in the process be blessed. Christ even said, “When you feed the hungry in my name, you in a very real way feed me.” However, this doing things for others, for the joy of serving Christ, and the joy of serving others, goes against a popular cultural thought. It’s a thought that says, “I don’t do nothing for nothing” (as someone once told me).

Given the economic times, it’s so easy to think only of what’s going on in my life and to be totally blind to the needs of others. But a person wrapped up in him/her self makes a very small package. The Bible calls us to “feed the hungry,” “care for the sick,” and “help the homeless.” In addition, it describes the joy that comes when a person is in the “giving to others” mode, as opposed to the “give me” mode.

In what mode does this blog find you? Are you obsessed with self, or with a passion to reach out to others and serve Christ in the process? I wish for you the latter, for therein you will find peace, joy, purpose, and fulfillment, and therein is the blessing of God Almighty.

I’d be happy to talk with you about it. Come on by. The coffee’s fresh. The light is on.

Blessings to you, Pastor Don